From December 2014: Art Saves in the 18b Arts District. Artist unknown.

It’s been the final days for this blog operating under the Arts Writers Grant Program's resources to explore regional public art, street art and murals. Those who know the timeline of the grant have asked if it will go on. In short, yes. I may not be in the field as much, or talking about what's inside galleries. but there is a backlog of posts and images to share, and things that are shaping up will be important to follow. Thanks for reading and following along on Twitter and Instagram. Now, back to some posting.

First Friday is this week, March 6. Preview Thursday, as you would expect, is tonight. First Friday’s theme is the element of chance. The R-J's F. Andrew Taylor has more.

Los Angeles Times art critic David Pagel describes Thomas Burke's (UNLV alumni, BFA '02) works as treats Op (Art) as a springboard into something bigger and bolder and more muscular than it was the first time around. A great deal of oomph, and even more delicacy, are palpable in 'Dutch Jailbreak' his rollicking exhibition of eight new paintings at Western Project" in Los Angeles. I LAT

Details on exhibitions, screenings, and general mayhem now in the current newsletter from UNLV Fine Arts.

First-ever London exhibition by Brazilian duo, Bicicleta Sem Freio who "have crossed over from graphic design and illustration to muralism and back again." They are Life Is Beautiful veterans and it can be said Las Vegas was an early testing ground for them. I ArtSlantLondon

In my search engine was the phrase "artists that draw neon facades." Whomever it was, go to JerryMisko.com.

ELSEWHERE

The current market for contemporary art has its own distinctive insanity, says Hyperallergic.

Marfa Texas is an “unusual town in an unusual place even by Texas standards. Part cowboy town, part artist colony, and increasingly all hipster haven.” Columbia Journalism Review.

When Raul Valdez left Vietnam, he studied the messages in Mexican Muralism. Now 66, he looks back at his regional legacy I Texas ObserverMTV taps Dabs Myla to design movie award set I KVOABansky hoax in Phoenix I AZ Central

Barstow approves budget for a mural to add to their Main Street portfolio. There was resistance. I DesertDispatch